An IHC to remember...

As some of you know we made a flying trip back to Ohio for IHC this year. This is the second time we have had to drive there from Arizona, because of Davids responsibilities in Mission Helps as their PR Director. He was responsible this year for developing and designing new displays for them. Needless to say, what hair he has left -is white. (just kidding) He was stressed beyond belief to meet all his deadlines for printing, but Thank the LORD, the last items for the displays arrived the day before we left.

IHC was a special time this year to meet old friends from Penn View and worship together with such a wonderful large group of believers. As you know, we attend a VERY SMALL church and we were joking that when the singing started we would be ducking, and running for cover, wondering what the loud noise was.


One neat thing that happened this year was that Zakary got to sing for the first time in the children's mass Choir. He is in the blue shirt in the center of the picture. The boy in the red shirt at the bottom, is my nephew, Gavin Gordon, my brother - Alan's boy. It was a touching scene to see my little boy, and his cousin up there with all those other future church leaders, preachers, and missionaries. I couldn't help the tears in my eyes as I thought of the wonderful heritage I have to pass on to my children. I am so thankful for the Holiness movement, and the privilege to raise my children to know the truth.


It was great to see some of our friends and share many great talks and laughs. Bro and Sis Bryan are dear friends and spiritual examples to us.
We also got to see many others who I didn't get a chance to take pictures of, but it was a fun time.




After leaving IHC following the last service Thursday night, we traveled all night to my sisters home in Tennessee. I have to say, I have been blessed by the most wonderful sister in the whole wide world. She is my best friend, and a great garage seller!!!!

The cousins had a great time together, along with some "friendly" cousin rivalry, but in the end they all shed tears when it was time to say goodbye. Zak and Sid had a blast being in the country, and enjoying lots of fun experiences. Sidney was delighted to get to
ride a real hoossee.



Trampoline fun!!!!






The sweetest sister in the world, who is 5 mos pregnant. We had a blast talking, shopping and cooking, and oh yeah - keeping the peace between a 4, 3, 2, and 1 year old. I bribed David with a promised back rub if he would watch the kids one afternoon, while we went shopping and had some much needed quiet time. We agreed before we left to - back rub time equal to half the total time we were gone. Alas, I now owe him and hour and 1/2 worth of a back rub. But it was well worth it.
Did I mention I have a jewel in my Husband??!!! Not many men would attempt to babysit 4 children under under 5 y/o.

My lil' slugger

I loved to play softball as a kid growing up, so I hope my children will also. Zak is a great hitter, but Sidney still needs assistance. I was looking through photos saved on the computer and thought you all would like this one. As you can see I am struggling for material for this post. I was going to put up a family pic. we had taken at church Sunday for Easter. I had great ambitions and even remembered our camera for church, however when we attempted to take pictures, I discovered that camera battery was dead. So my friend took some for us on her camera. I will post one as soon as she has time to e-m them to me.
Today I have plans to start getting everything packed for our journey to the mid-west. We are setting out for IHC this weekend. It is a 32 hour trip not counting the multiple stops, I'm sure we will have to make. After last year, I emphatically stated I would NEVER drive that far again with small children. Yet here we are a year later, and I am gritting my teeth in "anticipation". A sane women would never allow herself to be talked into such an miserable ordeal.

Mothering

It seems like only yesterday when they were just babies. Time does fly so fast. I am so thankful for the two little souls which Jesus has given me and David to raise. I used to worry so much about being a failure as a mother, but I am learning that everyday is a chance to mold and shape their little lives. I have learned to pray hard, ask for lots of wisdom and trust God with the outcome. I am not always perfect, but I love them to death (quite a miracle for those who know how I felt about having children in the first place) and hopefully that will make up for all the mistakes I make. The other day when I was working in the yard I was making foot prints in the dirt as I walked. I noticed Zak was coming behind me stepping where I didn't really want him walking. I started to scold him, and he protested "Mom, I'm being careful, I'm stepping in your footprints." What a huge responsibility. My actions are being mirrored each day. "Jesus help me to walk right, and not lead my children astray."

Cake Creations

Zak turned 4 on March 20. Because of our schedules we did not have time to have his party until March 31. He is very enraptured with race cars of late, especially Lightening McQueen and co. I decided to make a 3-D cake for his birthday. It was a bit difficult so I made a "practice" one for his actual Birthday. By the time his party came around I didn't have the energy to try again so I went with a bit of an easier creation. He was just as impressed, as he is very attached to several other cars as well as Lightening. I used 4 cake mixes and made it in a larger pan (I think 11x15) Afterward I wished I had just gone with one layer. It would have worked as well. Zak was in the clouds to have his good buddies Nathan and Izzak here to play for his party. Also his very favorite AZ Grandma Nora and Grandpa Doug. We had a really nice time.


Now I just have to come up with a good idea for a 2 year old girl's cake. Any suggestions are appreciated.

My Munchkins

These are my little munchkins, who keep me busy all day, with never a dull moment. A mother of toddlers truly has to be a jack of all trades and able to multitask with finesse. Zak just turned 4 on March 2o, and Sidney will be 2 in April. They are the loves of my life and I can't imagine why I thought I never wanted kids. This picture was taken during a trip to Grand Canyon with my Friend Denessa Walter from PA.

Getting Started

Greetings fellow bloggers. I have finally broken down and joined the blogging community. Just what I needed-one more thing to do in my day. haha. As several of my friends are now blogging, I decided to see what I had been missing and attempt this. So far, it's been interesting. I enjoy seeing posts from my friends and pictures of their families and children, so I will in the future be sharing pictures and news of our family. As for now I will start with this and continuing exploring what a person can do with this wonderful blog site.